New cone crushers from Sandvik

Sandvik Construction is expanding its mobile crusher portfolio with the introduction of the new QS441 and QS331 track-mounted cone crushers.

Its QI341 impact crusher is now available with an optional hanging screen system, and Sandvik has unveiled the QE141, the latest incarnation of what it claimed was the world’s first mass-produced track-mounted screener, the Robotrac.

Michael Brookshaw, distributor manager EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) for mobile crushers and screens, said, “For Sandvik mobiles globally, we had a very good start to the year. We were definitely on budget, but we have seen a slowdown in the third quarter – but this is a slowdown across the board on the world markets.

“We have been talking to the earthmoving manufacturers and other people in industry and they agree there has been a slowdown, but talking to the distributors and looking at the fourth quarter, we’re looking quite optimistic.

He said, “The information that has come back from the market is looking forward to a good fourth quarter.”

Sandvik said the S type gyratory cone crusher has proved itself in stationary applications for over 30 years. It has now been incorporated into a self-contained, diesel driven track-mounted plant.

Brookshaw said, “The big thing is we’re using standard technology that we’ve been using for many years, but what we’ve done is put two parts of the technology together.”

He said that Sandvik was using the standard frame from existing units and the S cone gyratory cone which it has been selling “for decades”.

“Everybody said ‘We need that cone on that frame’, and that is basically what we’ve done,” said Brookshaw. “We’ve made changes to the frame – not major changes – and we’ve managed to put this very tall cone on to the frame.

“We’re taking very well-known standard technological Sandvik manufactured parts and we’ve put them together to make this new unit.

90% larger feed size

Sandvik said its S type gyratory cone was able to accept a feed size up to 90% larger than current standard cones. It said this allowed maximum productivity from the primary crusher, or even enabled the S cone to be operated as a primary crusher on gravel applications.

The larger QS441 56 tonne class unit will feature the CS440 cone, while the smaller, more compact 36 tonne class QS331, incorporates the CS430 cone crusher.

There is a choice of three concaves, and four bush settings to control the closed side settings and material gradation. It is capable of producing large reduction ratios, with minimal fines.

Brookshaw said that because it had a long, steep cone, there was no need for a large eccentric – which is the movement of the cone. He said that an increase in the movement of parts led to more friction and therefore more sand.

“That’s a very big advantage,” he said.

Key features are said to include an automatic level sensor above the crushing chamber to control the feed rate and minimise operator intervention for maximum production and reduction, and a metal detector fitted as standard to provide stability and protection from tramp material. There is a remote camera to view the crushing chamber from ground level, and a hydroset CSS regulation system to optimise production and keep track of liner wear.

Four hydraulic jacking legs provide stability and a level operating platform, while the heavy duty “I” beam chassis is said to ensure maximum durability. A Cat C13 diesel engine with direct drive is designed to provide maximum power delivery and fuel efficiency, and a hydraulically-driven cooling fan with auto-reverse function can back flush dust from the radiator.

Impact crusher

The QI341 impact crusher is built using the Prisec technology introduced by Sandvik some years ago.

Brookshaw said, “It is now a crusher and screener in one. The big thing about this unit is the screen box. A lot of these are a compromise as they can never be as good as a big stationary unit, because a stationary unit is a much more expensive and much larger.

“What we are trying to do is to get a big stationary unit into a small block that we can transport around the world. The bottleneck in units is usually the screens, and this unit has a 1.5m x 4.2m screen – that’s huge for this size of unit.

The QI341 is now available with an optional hanging screen system, which Sandvik said would allow customers an even greater return on investment by being able to produce accurately sized products for immediate use.

The QI341 uses Sandvik impactor technology in a fully mobile, compact impact crusher designed to work either in a primary or secondary capacity, independently or in conjunction with other members of the Sandvik product line.

Mobile scalper

The QE141 mobile scalper is the latest version of the Robotrac track-mounted screener.

Brookshaw said, “The Robotrac came out in 1995, and this unit changed the world market for mobile crushers because before that it was a wheeled market with very little on tracked.”

The QE141 can create a windrow or radial stockpile, or simply a 300 tonne conical stockpile, load a truck, a screen or a pug mill with its heavy duty double-deck vibrating grid, which is tipped by remote control.

Alternatively, the QE341 can be fitted with fine grade meshes for precision screening and sizing applications.

“There is improved serviceability,” said Brookshaw, “with an on-board operator – a simple PLC (programmable logic controller) system, with everything colour coded. We don’t need to have any writing on it.

“You can switch on the components you need. Press button number three and it will start up itself, and will rev up to its normal operational speed. It will then turn on in sequence – first the conveyor, second the discharge conveyor, third the vibrating grid. Press three again and the unit runs itself down in sequence, bringing the engine down to idle mode.”

The QE141 features, as standard, a Cat engine, and serviceability has been improved.

Brookshaw said, “Make the unit easily accessible to service then the guy will service it. If it is not easy to get in to service it, he won’t service it.”

New website

A new website for the mobile part of Sandvik’s business is about to go live. The site, at www.sandvikmobiles.com is designed to provide quick, simple navigation, to be multi-lingual – it will be available in eight different languages – and customer focused.